Shortly after taking office, the new Government launched an internal review into the New Hospital Programme, directing the blame at the so-called £22bn blackhole.
Today in Parliament, the Health Secretary set out his new timetable, confirming the new Hillingdon Hospital project would be included in wave 1, with construction work due to get fully underway in 2027-28.
While this is to be welcomed, I am deeply disappointed by the unnecessary delay to the rebuild, which has been entirely of the Government's own making. Residents will be aware that funding had been secured under the previous Government and Hillingdon Council had granted planning permission for the site last year, with pre-construction works already in progress ahead of the election in July.
I asked the Health Secretary to offer his apologies to constituents who have been unfairly impacted by this delay. I was disappointed by his response, which offered only more deflection.
Of course, I will continue to make representations on behalf of residents who will benefit from the new Hillingdon Hospital to ensure that the project is delivered in the time promised.
